The Do’s and Don’ts of Trimming with a TPO
A TPO (Tree Preservation Order) is an order made by your local council or planning authority to protect specific trees, groups of trees or areas of woodland. The trees or areas are assessed on individual merit, so there are no set or defined criteria for assessing the trees. Here are The Do’s and Don’ts of Trimming with a TPO…
If you suspect your tree has a TPO, please do contact your council ahead of any work taking place on the tree.
A Tree With A TPO
If you do have a tree or a garden that is subject to a TPO, then you are unable to cut down the tree. Topping the tree (the removal of a large amount of growth from the top of the tree), lopping the tree (the removal of a large amount of growth from the side of the tree) or uprooting the tree. Every effort must be made by the landowner to ensure that the tree remains healthy and well looked after.
Especial care should be taken of any trees that are growing in hedgerows. These trees may appear to be part of the hedge, but should not be excessively trimmed, lopped or topped.
The tree, however, can be trimmed, if it is for the purpose of keeping the tree healthy or the trimming will have no impact on growth. For example, if a small branch was obscuring a window, you would be able to trim this back. Likewise, if a branch of the tree became diseased, you would be able to remove this branch. This is because doing so will ensure the tree’s health and public safety.
Still Unsure?
If you have any doubts about tree work taking place on TPO trees. We recommend that you contact an arboricultural specialist or tree surgeon, to complete a tree survey. This survey can then be submitted to your local planning authority. Once received the local authority will advise if any work on the tree has been authorised.
Click for further information on arboricultural impact assessments.
Contact Us Today!
To find out more about how ProHort can help you, get in touch with us by calling 01782 479 479 or email us at [email protected].